The Sudanese were primarily Arabs, and thus a ruling class was united in the country, controlling its economy. Their dominance was absolute, especially in the south. Another important characteristic was that their sons knew Arabic and claimed, or pretended to claim, lineage from the Companions of the Prophet. As the rulers and members of the upper classes were Muslims, they welcomed the arrival of those from the north.

In 1076 CE, Sultan Yahya sent an expedition to Timbuktu with the aim of assessing the situation. In 1082 CE, they sent a large diplomatic mission to the land of Songhai to understand the country's affairs, explore routes, and discover resources. Askia welcomed the mission with great warmth, encouraging them to engage in trade and culture. According to Al-Sa'di, the Sultan sent an army of twenty thousand men, but it perished in the desert. He then issued an ultimatum to Songhai, demanding their surrender and recognition of Moroccan suzerainty. Askia Ishaq's response was full of defiance, consisting of a bundle of bows and spears.

The Sultan waited for an opportunity, which came in 1096 CE when a Black man fled to Morocco, claiming to be the elder brother of Askia and more deserving of the Songhai throne. He requested the Sultan's support in his claim. The Sultan prepared an expedition led by a man named Judah, equipping it with rifles, weapons, and provisions. The majority of the riflemen were Christian prisoners, and Spanish was the language of the expedition.

The expedition began its journey on 1st Dhu al-Hijjah 1096 CE. After a long, arduous, and costly journey, it reached one of the cities of the Niger. The Sudanese awaited the invasion, and the desert had given them months of respite.